Debate on whether to move to Florida from Delaware (Orlando: property taxes, housing)

[autorail1]

Should I stay in Central, Delaware or go to Florida.

Delaware has no sales tax.
Vehicle registration just went up $40 a year.
Auto Insurance on 2 2006 vehicles is $500 a year and I have 2 violations.
Property Taxes in our neighborhood for homes ranging from 300,000- 450,000 are 1,400-2,100 a year.
I pay 1,500 for my taxes on my home appraised at 390,000. for 3,000 square foot 4 bedroom home.
and my home owners through Allstate is under $500 for the year.
Weather in Summer is Hot and humid 98+ with about 90%humidity. In Winter we occasionally get snow.

Thanks

I need some type of comparison:

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by autorail1

Should I stay in Central, Delaware or go to Florida.

Delaware has no sales tax.
Vehicle registration just went up $40 a year.
Auto Insurance on 2 2006 vehicles is $500 a year and I have 2 violations.
Property Taxes in our neighborhood for homes ranging from 300,000- 450,000 are 1,400-2,100 a year.
I pay 1,500 for my taxes on my home appraised at 390,000. for 3,000 square foot 4 bedroom home.
and my home owners through Allstate is under $500 for the year.
Weather in Summer is Hot and humid 98+ with about 90%humidity. In Winter we occasionally get snow.

Thanks

I need some type of comparison:

Where in Florida? What type of lifestyle are you looking for? Do you have up to 450k to spend on a home? When you answer these questions, I can try and guide you in the right direction .I CAN tell you that we have a sales tax, but no state income tax.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by autorail1

Should I stay in Central, Delaware or go to Florida.

Delaware has no sales tax.
Vehicle registration just went up $40 a year.
Auto Insurance on 2 2006 vehicles is $500 a year and I have 2 violations.
Property Taxes in our neighborhood for homes ranging from 300,000- 450,000 are 1,400-2,100 a year.
I pay 1,500 for my taxes on my home appraised at 390,000. for 3,000 square foot 4 bedroom home.
and my home owners through Allstate is under $500 for the year.
Weather in Summer is Hot and humid 98+ with about 90%humidity. In Winter we occasionally get snow.

Thanks

I need some type of comparison:

Sounds like a inexpensive town..... What is your trait? location in Florida?

[bale002]

Delaware has no sales tax: Florida 6%

What is Delaware state income tax? : Florida zero state income tax

Vehicle registration just went up $40 a year : from what? Registration relatively cheap in Florida, less than $100


Auto Insurance on two 2006 vehicles is $500 a year and I have two violations : very expensive in Florida, especially southeastern Florida, at least $1225 a year, probably more.

Property Taxes in our neighborhood for homes ranging from 300,000- 450,000 are 1,400-2,100 a year : similar in Florida would be about $6,000-$9,000

Home owners through Allstate is under $500 for the year : in Florida it is unpredictable, but very, very rough guide, similar to property tax, i.e. 2% of buy price, but again it can vary very widely.

Weather:

Summer is Hot and humid 98+ with about 90% humidity : same in Florida

Winter we occasionally get snow : no snow, perfect climate.

Depending on your state income tax rate, Delaware sounds like a good deal.

[miamiblue]

I personally think that regardless of Delaware's state income tax, you have a better deal financially there than in FL. The costs for just about everything you mentioned are going to be more expensive in FL, with perhaps the exception of vehicle registration, but it's still close. Not to mention that homeowner's insurance in some areas of FL is almost impossible to get, and if you can get it, you won't be able to "compare" rates because there might be only one company willing to underwrite in that area.

The weather in FL is generally hot and very humid for about 8-9 months, with 3-4 months of nice weather in the "winter".

[hgebel]

In Delaware our income tax is relatively high,

2.2% Over 2000
3.9% Over 5000
4.8% Over 10000
5.2% Over 20000
5.55% Over 25000
5.95% Over 600000

Most of our other fees and taxes are pretty low. Our registration is the same regardless of the size of vehicle under 5000lb. We are still paying $20/year until October 1, it changes to $40/year on October 1. You can pay for up to two years at a time unless the vehicle is exactly four years old, in which case you can only pay for one year (this is because you will have to take it in for inspection when it turns 5, and every two years thereafter.) Registration expires based on when you got the registration, not on your birthday. You don't have to pay for the tag, or any upfront fee like the $100 in Florida. You can keep the tag as long as you want, and across multiples vehicles and owners; I have a friend whose tag has been in his family since the 60's. You can walk into one building and walk out in less than a hour with a driver's license, title, registration, and a tag (except Wednesdays).

-Harry

[jhlcomp]

Here is a comparison. We live in southwest Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area) in a home we purchased in 1994 for $182,500 and is now appraised at $690,000. 2800 sq ft on a lake and just under 1/2 acre.

Taxes $3790 annually
Insurance: $9000 annually
Insure 3 cars non stacked though GEICO: $1297 every six months
Auto registration: roughly what you are paying
Electricity: Average: $280. Our most recent bill was $415 and this was our highest to date.

If you were to buy a home in our area today for $350,000 the taxes would be $6,409 annually. See Broward County Property Appraiser's Network

[hgebel]

Originally Posted by autorail1

Should I stay in Central, Delaware or go to Florida.

Delaware has no sales tax.
Vehicle registration just went up $40 a year.
Auto Insurance on 2 2006 vehicles is $500 a year and I have 2 violations.
Property Taxes in our neighborhood for homes ranging from 300,000- 450,000 are 1,400-2,100 a year.
I pay 1,500 for my taxes on my home appraised at 390,000. for 3,000 square foot 4 bedroom home.
and my home owners through Allstate is under $500 for the year.
Weather in Summer is Hot and humid 98+ with about 90%humidity. In Winter we occasionally get snow.

Thanks

I need some type of comparison:

Don't move to Florida for financial reasons, but if you really want to go there go ahead. I've lived in Florida, and it's nice; not as nice as Delaware but if you need a change of scenery it is a great place to get it. Delaware will always be there in a few years to go back to.

Financially Delaware is a lot better. Looks like now is not a good place to buy a home in Florida, but that's not unique to Florida. A lot of people here complain about the crime, and it has gone way up since I lived there; but like anywhere that can be reduced a lot by just using common sense. My sister is moving there for a few years because of her husband's work, and I am going with them for a change of scenery and to avoid being a thousand miles from them. I know the pluses and minuses of Florida and I'm getting pretty excited about being back there for a while. When I was down there before it actually reminded me a lot of Delaware with (much) longer summers and (much) nicer winters. If you're like me and you love Delaware summers and hate Delaware winters it will be okay.

Where are you from in Central Delaware? I was born on Dover AFB (1970, Dad was retired Navy) and grew up near Marydel and Hazlettville. I lived in Milford for two years and have been living upstate in Newark since November, 2001. I'm moving to Orlando (actually unincorporated Orange County near Orlando) in July 25. I lived there before in 1989 and 1990 and have kept tabs on the area; demographically it has gone downhill but the area I'm moving to is nice (although apparently near some not-so-nice areas.) We are renting, and rental houses are a lot cheaper than Delaware (maybe all the unsold inventory?). In upstate Delaware, nice areas right next to lousy ones is the norm, so I figure not much will be changed in that regard.

-Harry Henry Gebel

[THX 1138]

Based on Palm Beach County FL

Sales Tax 6.5% and they want to raise it even more.

Car Insurance is very expensive even if your a safe driver with a good record.

You can read about Housing, Insurance and Property taxes, not to mention cost of goods and services here, ie cost of Groceries is very high.

[autorail1]

Originally Posted by hgebel

Don't move to Florida for financial reasons, but if you really want to go there go ahead. I've lived in Florida, and it's nice; not as nice as Delaware but if you need a change of scenery it is a great place to get it. Delaware will always be there in a few years to go back to.

Financially Delaware is a lot better. Looks like now is not a good place to buy a home in Florida, but that's not unique to Florida. A lot of people here complain about the crime, and it has gone way up since I lived there; but like anywhere that can be reduced a lot by just using common sense. My sister is moving there for a few years because of her husband's work, and I am going with them for a change of scenery and to avoid being a thousand miles from them. I know the pluses and minuses of Florida and I'm getting pretty excited about being back there for a while. When I was down there before it actually reminded me a lot of Delaware with (much) longer summers and (much) nicer winters. If you're like me and you love Delaware summers and hate Delaware winters it will be okay.

Where are you from in Central Delaware? I was born on Dover AFB (1970, Dad was retired Navy) and grew up near Marydel and Hazlettville. I lived in Milford for two years and have been living upstate in Newark since November, 2001. I'm moving to Orlando (actually unincorporated Orange County near Orlando) in July 25. I lived there before in 1989 and 1990 and have kept tabs on the area; demographically it has gone downhill but the area I'm moving to is nice (although apparently near some not-so-nice areas.) We are renting, and rental houses are a lot cheaper than Delaware (maybe all the unsold inventory?). In upstate Delaware, nice areas right next to lousy ones is the norm, so I figure not much will be changed in that regard.

-Harry Henry Gebel

\
Yes we are near Dover Air base. We live in Camden, De. Just 6 miles west of Dover Air base.